Ganakas Named Special Assistant to Izzo

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Long-time Michigan State assistant athletic director Gus Ganakas has been named special assistant to menžs head basketball coach Tom Izzo.

Ganakas has been involved in Michigan Statežs athletics program since 1964. He served as assistant basketball coach under John Benington for three years from 1966-69 before being promoted to head coach in 1969-70. Ganakas compiled an 89-84 record in seven seasons as head coach from 1969-76. He has served as an assistant athletic director for the past 21 years.

In his new role, Ganakas will handle many administrative duties for Coach Izzo, including assisting in future team scheduling, coordinating summer camps and summer job opportunities for student-athletes, maintaining radio and television relations, public speaking engagements and community relations projects. In addition, he will act as special liaison for two upcoming projects as the Spartans celebrate 100 seasons of college basketball and the 20th anniversary of the å79 national championship.

Gus Ganakas will be an especially valuable resource for our basketball program in his position as special assistant,ū Izzo said. Gus is somebody who once sat in my chair as head coach so he understands the nature of this profession and the time demands of this job.

Gus will play another key role for us as we work to build a solid basketball program. As the program moves forward, itžs important to remember the past because tradition is so important to a program, and Gus helps bridge the past with the present.ū

Ižm really excited about the change in responsibilities,ū Ganakas said. Ižm pleased to be of some help to Tom and his staff by relieving them of some of the administrative work load.ū